Please Help: Channel Changing Help/IR Recommendations

[usctrojan]

My setup:
GBPVR running on WHS server in closet
PCH near the TV
PC used to open shared folders for browsing files and viewing during testing

My remote setup is HIP+net2hipsend+MCE2005 IR blaster going from PC to a Comcast DTA (Digital Transport Adapter - their simple STB for basic analog tvs)

GBPVR seems to work fine and record scheduled programs and even send channel change commands but the channels are not changing (and of course the recordings are all some left over channel and useless).

I can view the gbpvr livetv from PCH fine though it stutters badly from the other PCs. I only need recordedings since I want to use gbpvr as a closet PVR.

If I can just get my channel changing working I will be set! It seemed to be working at first setup but it is very flaky. I tried different steps multiple times:

- HIP "Test IR" from remote desktop
- HIP web interface to send commands
- net2hipsend from command line
- PCH changing channels from mvpmcx2
- PCs running GBPVR in client mode changing channels

I have seen most of these methods work and change the channel one in a while but most of the time nothing works. I reboot, fiddle, restart GBPVR/HIP and some channel change from one of the trials works for one or two changes and then it stops working.

Sometimes even the basic HIP Testing IR blast does not work which is the first step to get everything working! I have read the HIP forums and the HipGuide too.

I only need channel changes from GBPVR to comcast STB working (not an remote). Anyone has any suggestions for reliable channel changes? Is there any know IR blaster method/thingIcanBuy that will work reliably always?

[pBS]

it's all about the stupid little stb box...it uses non-standard signals of some sort..
i'd try googling the specific model and looking for remote problems...
there may be downloadable ir files that can be used by hip to blast...
it may use toggle keys or some other such nonsense...
from what i remember, even universal remotes don't work well with it..
[way to go Cumcast!]

while testing, use just the hip test ir blast interface to eliminate any other variables...
once it's reliable in there, the rest should be ok...

[nightwalker]

I had a DTA for a short while and also had troubles teaching other controllers it's codes. I did finally get it working using the dual band USB-UIRT. It didn't seem to have any troubles learning the codes for the DTA.

[markbb1]

My setup:
GBPVR running on WHS server in closet
PCH near the TV
PC used to open shared folders for browsing files and viewing during testing

My remote setup is HIP+net2hipsend+MCE2005 IR blaster going from PC to a Comcast DTA (Digital Transport Adapter - their simple STB for basic analog tvs)

GBPVR seems to work fine and record scheduled programs and even send channel change commands but the channels are not changing (and of course the recordings are all some left over channel and useless).

I can view the gbpvr livetv from PCH fine though it stutters badly from the other PCs. I only need recordedings since I want to use gbpvr as a closet PVR.

If I can just get my channel changing working I will be set! It seemed to be working at first setup but it is very flaky. I tried different steps multiple times:

- HIP "Test IR" from remote desktop
- HIP web interface to send commands
- net2hipsend from command line
- PCH changing channels from mvpmcx2
- PCs running GBPVR in client mode changing channels

I have seen most of these methods work and change the channel one in a while but most of the time nothing works. I reboot, fiddle, restart GBPVR/HIP and some channel change from one of the trials works for one or two changes and then it stops working.

Sometimes even the basic HIP Testing IR blast does not work which is the first step to get everything working! I have read the HIP forums and the HipGuide too.

I only need channel changes from GBPVR to comcast STB working (not an remote). Anyone has any suggestions for reliable channel changes? Is there any know IR blaster method/thingIcanBuy that will work reliably always?

My experience when it sort of works sometimes is that the blaster "bud" is not oriented correctly on the STB. Use a flashlight (torch for those in the UK) to look through the opaque window where the IR receiver is supposed to be on the STB and put the "bud" PRECISELY over it. Also, I have observed it can be put on backwards (and it blasts more power into the room than into the STB). If you have it placed properly, then maybe it is the bud itself that needs to be replaced. I would try fiddling with the orientation before buying a new one.

[usctrojan]

I am not sure what the problem was with HIP, but just decided to try IR Server (especially because I did not have to much around with drivers like I originally thought I had to) and I am happy. IR Server + GBPVR works now. I am able to view livetv and change channels on the PCH. I check my recordings today and one of them seemed to have not picked up the channel (the first one after I made the change) but all others after that have.